Most Screen Savers $ 14.95 each plus shipping and handling. Sales Tax applies in some states.

The City Lights Reporter

 Online News Journal

February 2002 -Volume 5 Issue 2

Vegas Opens It's Doors 

To Black Publishers

By James I. Neusom, II

On January 25th, Las Vegas opened it doors and welcomed the national organization of "BlackPages USA Publishers".  This prestigious group of African-American entrepreneurs gathered together in a show of solidarity and support for their host Warren Maxey (www.lasvegasblackpages.com) and the City of Las Vegas' efforts to bounce back from the effects of the 9/11 tragedy.  They could have met anywhere in the country but they chose to have their national conference in Las Vegas and specifically at the only African-American owned hotel casino in the country, Fitzgerald's.  The billions of black dollars represented by the members of  BlackPages USA was welcomed and appreciated.

The "BlackPages USA" organization is one of the oldest African-American business groups in the country.  Some of their members have been publishing black business directors since 1925.  They are a potent force in their relative communities, organizing, and mobilizing black business to recycle black dollars in and amongst the neighborhoods they represent.  Many of it's members are prominent leaders and active in political as well as business circles.  They have worked hard to build a united economic front in urban and rural communities across the nation.  In attendance were publishers representing cities from Connecticut to California, from Georgia to Wisconsin, as well as the countries of Canada and Jamaica.

The Fitzgerald's Hotel & Casino (www.fitzgeralds.com) was the main meeting site and central focus of this four day conference.  All the members raved about the food and service in Limericks steakhouse.  After a full day of working committee sessions the local black community owned radio station Power 88 FM (www.power88lv.com) hosted the gathering at the SRO.  Every Thursday, Power 88 features a live remote broadcast from the SRO nightclub as a fundraiser for their community based, non-profit station.  The BlackPages publishers enjoyed the old school dance music and appreciated the many shout outs and high-lights they received live on the air.  

Ron Andrews of North Carolina (www.blackpagesusa.com) representing a six state market equivalent to over a 100 million black consumer dollars, complimented the Palms Hotel & Casino on its breath taking view from the roof top nightclub "The GhostBar" (www.ghostbar.com).  The manager, Sean McNicholas, reiterated that the Palms has built its reputatiion by focusing on

 community and service.  Newly opened and designed to appeal to locals, the management of the Palms showed much love to the publishers of BlackPages directories.  Dargin McWhorter of Big Mamas Rib Shack (www.bigmamasribs.com) treated the publishers to a evening of fine southern cooking, demonstrating beyond a doubt that Vegas has soul.  Immediately after dinner the members enjoyed a night of comedy with DL Hubley at Sam's Town Casino.

The next day Wallace Jackmen of Minnesota (www.mnblackpages.com)  and another group of publishers enjoyed the bargains at the Fashion Outlet Mall and toured the canals of the Venetian Hotel & Casino.  Mr. Jackmen, stated that he would be back for the Las Vegas Black Expo and would support the city by giving Las Vegas a high profile in the many local newspapers and cultural publications he owns.  Even Caesars Palace welcomed the BlackPages publishers with a night of fine dining at Nero's Italian Restaurant.  Many members were dazzled by the larger than life statues in Caesars underground shopping mall.

You would think after reading this article that very little work was done during the BlackPages conference.  But believe me, Connie Portis, the President of the organization, was a hard task master.  With all the challenges facing the publishers as they compete with dot.com info sites, Ms. Portis set a full schedule of working sessions every day.  They compared notes and strategized over advertising rates, marketing, structure and many other day-to-day issues commonly faced by business in the 21st Century.  Ms. Portis, publisher of the Pittsburgh BlackPages directory, molded the group into a united force, with a common look, consistent theme and interdependent infrastructure, ensuring the longevity of this proud group of black leaders and role models.

We here in Las Vegas salute the publishers of BlackPages USA and thank them for choosing our city to host their national conference.  Las Vegas was one of the hardest hit cities economically due to 9/11.  Their decision to spend black dollars in our city will go a long way towards helping us recover from the current drop in tourism, and regain our international reputation as one of the best vacation and conference destinations in the world.  We look forward to seeing you again when Warren Maxey, publisher of the local BlackPages business directory, hosts the first Las Vegas Black Expo (www.lasvegasblackexpo.com).  All of Las Vegas thanks the publishers of BlackPages directories and look forward to their return.

TOP OF PAGE NEXT PAGE PREVIOUS PAGE

     [Home]  [Reporter]  [Products]  [Services]  [About Us] [Reseller Info]  [Policies]  [Contact Us]

Developed and Maintained By:  InterServe Networks, Inc.